We have another early weekday card handicapped on Tuesday throughout the US. The usual suspects get the spotlight on Monday, with Delta Downs, Louisiana Downs, Parx, and Turf Paradise expected to race today. The stakes calendar is quiet during the week, but will heat up on Saturday with the running of the $250,000 Withers Stakes and Sam F. Davis Stakes (Gr. 3) on Saturday.
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That’s the biggest race this week. Nothing huge, but we have a mammoth event at the end of the month to make up for it. The $20,000,000 Saudi Cup is going to be a star studded field, with Charlatan, Swiss Skydiver, and Go Knicks participating in the biggest race of them all. Go Knicks hasn’t officially been pointed to the Saudi Cup, but is currently listed as probable.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby will have two races on Saturday. The Withers Stakes and Sam F. Davis Stakes are prep races, with 10 points going to the winner. The $400,000 Risen Star (Gr. 2) at Fair Grounds on February 13 is the most notable prep racing coming soon. That race includes 50 points to the winning team. The first 100-point race will be at Fair Grounds on March 20 with the running of the Louisiana Derby.
We will start our day Tuesday at Delta Downs in Louisiana. The forecast calls for another beautiful day in Vinton. Delta Downs has nine races scheduled for a total of $113,000 in prize money. Head below for our free Delta Downs picks for February 2, 2021.
Race 4
Post Time: 2:16 p.m. CST
Distance:1 Mile
Purse:$12,000
We will get going at Delta Downs with Race 4, a $12,000 event on the dirt covering a mille. Eight horses are scheduled to run in the event. Mayan Ghost and Paint I Ain’t should have a good shot at the top prize in this one. Depending on how Mayan Ghost is interested in running, he can either go really well or struggle.
Overall in his career, Mayan Ghost has a win in 18 performances. That win came two outings ago on December 31 in a $13,000 assignment over Ray’s Kimua by 11 lengths in a blowout. However, look at his last several outings. Mayan Ghost has gone 11th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, 4th so a bit all over.
He placed 2nd behind Drax by ¾ lengths in a $13,000 event prior to that easy win, and then 4th most recently on January 18 in a $12,000 race. Paint I Ain’t has been has been the same in a sense that he’s been an inconsistent performer. In his previous four outings, Paint I Ain’t has finished 3rd, 9th, 1st, 8th, 2nd.
He beat Double Priority by ¾ lengths in a $13,000 assignment on December 1. Paint I Ain’t then finished 8th and 2nd in his last two entries. In his latest outing, he placed 2nd behind Sir Smack by 5 ¼ lengths. This looks like a race that Paint I Ain’t should be able to handle.
Race 6
Post Time: 3:11 p.m. CST
Distance:7 Furlongs
Purse:$12,000
Race 6 is a $12,000 race on the dirt covering 7 furlongs. Despina and Zao’s Dreams should do well on these terms Tuesday. Despina is 3 for 31 in her career, without a win since July 6 at Prairie Meadows. She defeated Nightstar by 3 ½ lengths in that assignment. Since then, Despina has gone 4th, 2nd, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 8th, so it’s been a struggle to get back on track. In her most recent showing, she faded to the back of the field to finish dead last on January 25.
Zao’s Dreams is 4 for 22 in her career, finishing 4th, 4th, 2nd, 1st in her previous four trips. She placed 2nd behind Memory Magic by 2 ½ lengths. Zao’s Dreams was able to do one better the next day to beat Laneys Love by 5 ½ lengths for $13,000. That was a bit too easy for Zao’s Dreams. This should be a bit tougher, but heading to the winner’s circle again looks likely. Expect Zao’s Dreams to battle hard in the stretch, and having the edge at the wire in this one.
